Detroit Lions 2022 review: Kalif Raymond, fake punts lead stellar special teams
Now that the Detroit Lions have wrapped up the 2022 season, MLive is handing out reviews for each of the team’s position groups. Detroit climbed into the top 10 of Rick Gosselin’s special-teams rankings in 2021, then inched up further to sixth this past season. Kalif Raymond led the way by turning into one of the league’s most dangerous punt returners, averaging 13.2 yards per attempt. Without Raymond’s big return, the Lions probably would have lost that game and their shot at the postseason. It never cost the Lions anything, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Detroit bring in competition for Daly next season.
mlive.comStarting safety DeShon Elliott returns to Lions practice, Frank Ragnow out
“Y’all thought I would miss this?” the starting safety said in an Instagram story. His return would provide a huge lift to a safety corps that has been without fellow starting safety Tracy Walker since Week 3. The Walker injury forced Detroit to turn to rookie Kerby Joseph, who has played beyond his years this season. The Elliott injury forced Detroit to turn to Ifeatu Melifonwu, the final safety on the roster besides C.J. Ragnow has received time off every week of the season to nurse a toe injury that could require surgery whenever the season ends.
mlive.comWith injuries piling up at safety, Lions elevate Brady Breeze from practice squad
ALLEN PARK -- With the injuries starting to pile up at safety, the Detroit Lions (7-8) have elevated Brady Breeze from the practice squad for Sunday’s must-win game against the Chicago Bears (3-12). That has forced Detroit to turn back to Ifeatu Melifonwu for a second straight start, despite his profound struggles last week in Carolina. With that, the Lions are elevating Breeze to help bolster their depth. The second-year defensive back made his club debut by playing 19 snaps on special teams in Carolina last week. Detroit also announced offensive tackle Obinna Eze is being placed on the practice squad injured reserve list.
mlive.comDetroit Lions to further emphasize reviving stagnant rushing attack
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have watched their once-elite rushing attack tumble into the league’s bottom half. And it hit a new low against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, with the Lions rushing for a season-low 45 yards. Moore led the team in rushing two weeks ago, with quarterback Jared Goff leading the way on the ground this past weekend in Carolina. Related: Dan Campbell doesn’t hold back: ‘We weren’t physically, mentally or emotionally ready’We’ve got a Detroit Lions newsletter! Enter your email here:On the one hand, Lions running back Jamaal Williams’ 14 rushing scores are still tops in the NFL.
mlive.comDetroit Lions awaiting testing on safety DeShon Elliott’s ‘tender’ shoulder
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions aren’t sure if they’ll have starting safety DeShon Elliott (shoulder) ahead of their short-week matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Elliott was undergoing testing Monday afternoon and that they’ll know more coming out of today. And we need our football players, man. We need football players. We need dependable football players right now, with three (games) to go.
mlive.com3 things we learned: Lions could become a hit in free agency
DETROIT -- The Lions won for the fifth time in six weeks, this time by a 34-23 score on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions could become a hit in free agency. “I knew when I was at home, I want to go back to Detroit,” Moore said after the game, according to 97.1 The Ticket. We ended the season well, and this season didn’t start off too well, but we’ve known it’s been here and it’s showing.”It is, and now the whole footballing world is taking notice. And given Dan Campbell’s burgeoning reputation around the league, and now the credibility that comes with winning too, the Lions could become a preferred destination in free agency.
mlive.comSnap counts, PFF grades: Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson draws elite reviews in Week 14
DETROIT -- Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson added another sack to his rookie-leading total (seven), drawing the top-graded game of his career from Pro Football Focus in Week 14. “Detroit feels it, they feel we’re coming along right now,” Hutchinson said after the game. The Lions held star Vikings running back Dalvin Cook to only 23 yards on 15 rush attempts. He was kept out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday, returning in a limited capacity to end the week. Stenberg was out there for all 70 offensive snaps with Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Jonah Jackson and Frank Ragnow.
mlive.comDetroit Lions sign former special teams ace back from Houston’s practice squad
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have signed special teams ace and safety C.J. Price had played 120 special teams snaps through the first three games, with only Anthony Pittman and Chris Board logging more. Moore had been one of Detroit’s key cogs on special teams for the previous three seasons. Related: Ask Kyle: How will ownership handle the Detroit Lions’ continued losing? Related: The Detroit Lions have cut their two most experienced special teams players from last seasonMoore had eight tackles on special teams last year, sitting second on the team in snaps on that phase.
mlive.comThe Detroit Lions have cut their two most experienced special teams players from last season
ALLEN PARK -- A better roster means better players are being cut in Detroit. That has been especially true on special teams, where the Lions have just offloaded their two most experienced players from last season. A few minutes after the reported release of Anthony Pittman, who led Detroit in special teams snaps last season, the Lions are also releasing C.J. Moore, who was second on the team in special teams snaps. He could be a candidate for an injured list, or perhaps the practice squad whenever he’s healthy, because he once was among this team’s best special teams aces.
mlive.comSnap counts: Detroit Lions get extended look at rookie safety Kerby Joseph
DETROIT -- Tracy Walker and DeShon Elliott have been at the top of the safety room for the Detroit Lions from the start of training camp. And that’s no surprise, with third-round rookie Kerby Joseph still relatively new to safety and other defensive backs swapping positions. Joseph put some good tape into existence through a couple of rookie blips on the radar with the opportunity. Walker added two tackles on his 13 reps. Hughes had two tackles while playing next to Joseph for most of the game. He ran three times for 13 yards while adding two catches for 5 yards.
mlive.comReport: Detroit Lions re-signing special teams ace, safety C.J. Moore
The Detroit Lions are re-signing special teams ace and safety C.J. Moore was a restricted free agent. Moore landed in Detroit as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He logged 302 snaps on special teams and another 158 on defense. Moore has been one of Detroit’s best special teams players for three years now, and he’s likely to continue in that role.
mlive.comDetroit Lions sign safety Jalen Elliott from their practice squad
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions filled their open roster spot, signing safety Jalen Elliott from the practice squad to the 53-man. Elliott, much like Wright, has seen action in two consecutive games after getting elevated from the practice squad. He first landed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame in 2020, spending most of the past year on the practice squad. Elliott joins Walker, Harris, Marlowe and C.J. The Lions also signed tight end Nick Eubanks and wide receiver Travis Jonsen to their practice squad.
mlive.comDetroit Lions fire special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs over going rogue on fake punt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- In a shocking move, the Detroit Lions have fired special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs just one day after their 46-25 loss in Tennessee. Bevell made the decision to fire Coombs, and it was approved by team president Rod Wood. Detroit is currently operating without a general manager after firing Bob Quinn, as well as head coach Matt Patricia. The Lions attempted the fake early in the fourth quarter. Column: Matthew Stafford continues to battle, and the Lions continue to fail him spectacularlyInstead, Coombs went rogue and dialed up the fake.
mlive.comTannehill has 5 TDs, Titans rout Lions 46-25
The Titans (10-4) did their part with a second straight victory and fourth in five games to stay atop the AFC South. Henry capped the opening drive with a 3-yard TD run, his 15th this season. The Titans led 21-7 after a 75-yard TD pass from Tannehill to Corey Davis and a 17-yard TD run by Tannehill. Romeo Okwara sacked Tannehill two plays later for the Lions' first safety in 75 games, also against Tennessee on Sept. 18, 2016. The Titans put it away with 22 points in the fourth quarter with Tannehill's second TD run and two more TD passes.
Lions’ Darrell Bevell explains failed fake punt, why he didn’t challenge spot
So instead of punting away the football, interim head coach Darrell Bevell drew up a fake on fourth-and-4. Moore took a direct snap and sprinted for the right sideline, but was ruled just inches short of the chains. Tennessee took over, tacked on another touchdown just six plays later and cruised to a 46-25 win over Detroit at Nisaan Stadium. Moore was inches short, Tennessee took over and got off a play before the Lions could challenge the spot. Bevell said the Lions didn’t believe there was conclusive evidence to overturn the ruling on the field, and wanted to save the timeout.
mlive.comStafford throws 3 TDs, Lions rally to beat Bears 34-30
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO – Darrell Bevell had a hard time processing everything from his first game as an NFL coach. They fired general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia while elevating Bevell, their offensive coordinator, to interim coach. But the Lions turned things around down the stretch, sending the Bears (5-7) to their sixth straight loss. The Lions came out on top after losing four of five, and Stafford gave Bevell the game ball.
Lions get a lot of good news on injury report, although Da’Shawn Hand was added to it
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions continue to get healthier after opening the season with a rash of injuries. Receiver Kenny Golladay wasn’t listed on Wednesday’s injury report at all, which is excellent news coming out of his season debut in Arizona. If that happens, it will be interesting to see whether Amani Oruwariye or Jeff Okudah comes off the field. It wasn’t all good news for Detroit on the injury report, as defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand was added to it with a chest injury that limited him at practice. Hand has battled a lot of injuries over the last year-plus, and played in only three games all last season.
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